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Friday - June 5 - Evening Performance == FYI:

7:30 p.m. - Mr. Evgeni Bozhanov (Recital)
8:45 p.m. - Ms. Yeol Eum Son (Chopin, Piano Concerto No.2 in F minor, Op. 21)
9:45 p.m. - Ms. Mariangela Vacatello (Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58)

Does anyone think Zhang's hands look very big(as in an easy 12th)? Maybe it's just the camera angle but they seem very big to me.

I guess we all hear things differently. I was not particularly impressed with Eum Son's Op.111, although she played it well. The piece itself is so awesome it's easy to get carried away by it.

The Beethoven repitore many times ends up as the distinguishing factor in competitions. Beethoven is the great equilizer.

.......Oh I forgot, Pressler's interview; give me a break.....PLEASE.

What was wrong with it? Seems like a nice fellow to me.

The words "Pressler" and "nice" are oxymorns.

Add to that the fact that the last time Pressler performed in this town, the reviews were so bad, I thought it was a career ender. But like Old Man River, he just keeps rollin' along...

Hmmmmm.......Eum Son is rehearsing the Chopin F minor concerto. Somethings not quite right with it. Sounds a little like excerpts from Hannon. Maybe that's a little harsh.

I thought the exact same thing! And I'm supposed to be biased because I'm hoping she takes the gold. I'm hoping she's just conserving her energy for the performance...

Daniel

Man, what's going on here. Vacatello is stepping all over the Beethoven. Wow, I feel like a jinx.

I'm sure that some people don't mind at all, but I cannot think of a single pianist who facial expressions are as weird or distracting as Bolzhanov. The only one I can think of that comes close might be Serkin, but his expressions never bothered me that much. Of course, one usually does not see the performer's face from as close and head on like one does for the Cliburn broadcast. I think the profile view might be much less distracting.

So....can I assume then that he isn't exhibiting his true personality? Or are you saying he is a bad musician? I'm not attacking you; I really don't know.

He was a great musician in his day, but reputation in master classes is well known. He was not always to most tactful person. During the interview he said "learning is not fun, it's painful." I couldn't disagree more. It might be hard, but I've never thought of it as painful. He seems to have gone out of his way to make it painful for many people through the years. Anyway, I've seen him in action and the interview he gave and his past conduct seemed inconsistant.

More importantly, did anyone hear Vacatello's Beethoven?

http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/473957/1.html

Maybe he turned over a new leaf. I'd like to think so, anyway. Thanks for the link, though I'd seen that thread when it was first posted, and now recall the details about his masterclasses.

Oh, well. some people just don't have that great of a personality, even if they can cover it up for the cameras.

such a speechless and amazing feast from Bozhanov tonight! after him, i don't really care to listen to anyone else...

I thought he played very well too.

I agree, especially in the Takemitsu and Liszt. The Schumann was a pretty individual take.

He really maximized the contrast between the characters and I liked it a lot compared to Di Wu's.

Missed most of Bozhanov's performance... thought he messed up the Schumann a bit.

Yeol Eum Son is up now... first impression - I like her dress!

Indeed, it almost makes up for her playing.

What's wrong with her playing? Maybe I'm not critical enough of small errors, but I hear a very enjoyable performance.